Inductive peripheral retention device

ABSTRACT

Inductive peripheral retention device techniques are described. In one or more implementations, an apparatus includes a plug configured to removably engage a communication port of a device to form a communicative coupling with the device. The plug is securable to and removable from the device using one or more hands of a user. The apparatus also includes a peripheral securing portion connected to the plug and configured to removably engage a peripheral device via an inductive element formed as a flexible loop and configured to form a communicative coupling between the peripheral device and the device, which may be used to support charging of the apparatus.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/486,381, filed Sep. 15, 2014, entitled “Inductive PeripheralRetention Device”, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporatedby reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Computing devices may employ peripheral devices to aid a user ininteracting with the computing device. An example of this is analternate input device, such as a stylus, that may be used to aid a userin interacting with touchscreen and other functionality of the computingdevice. A user, for instance, may utilize the stylus to draw on asurface of the touchscreen to make annotations, notes, and otherindicia.

Conventional techniques utilized to store the stylus, however, could beproblematic in a number of different ways. For example, use of aninternal slot to store and retain the stylus through friction or througha push-push type mechanism may create a problem where extra space andparts are required inside the device. This may also cause an increase inthe complexity of the device, overall size of the device which may beundesirable for mobile configurations, and may therefore hinder theuser's experience with the device.

In another example, use of a lanyard and a pen cap may operate somewhatas an uncontrolled appendage and therefore get caught on other objects,pen caps tend to let the pen fall out due to limitations of a retentionforce that may be used, and so on. Consequently, a user may choose toforgo use of this additional functionality supported by the peripheraldevice due to these complications.

SUMMARY

Inductive peripheral retention device techniques are described. In oneor more implementations, an apparatus includes a plug configured toremovably engage a communication port of a device to form acommunicative coupling with the device. The plug is securable to andremovable from the device using one or more hands of a user. Theapparatus also includes a peripheral securing portion connected to theplug and configured to removably engage a peripheral device via aninductive element formed as a flexible loop and configured to form acommunicative coupling between the peripheral device and the device.

In one or more implementations, inductance is detected of a flexibleelement configured to transfer power to a peripheral device viainductance. Responsive to a determination that the detected inductanceis above a threshold, a first power mode is utilized in which a firstamount of power is provided to the flexible element. Responsive to adetermination that the detected inductance is below a threshold, asecond power mode is utilized in which a second amount of power isprovided to the flexible element that is less than the first amount ofpower.

In one or more implementations, an apparatus includes a single ferrouselement formed as a single integral piece having a middle portion havinga diameter about an axis that is less than a diameter of opposing endsof the single ferrous element along the axis and a coil wrapped aroundthe middle portion such that the coil and the single ferrous elementform an inductive coil that is substantially rotationally invariantaround the axis when charging

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subjectmatter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanyingfigures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference numberidentifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. Theuse of the same reference numbers in different instances in thedescription and the figures may indicate similar or identical items.Entities represented in the figures may be indicative of one or moreentities and thus reference may be made interchangeably to single orplural forms of the entities in the discussion.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an environment in an example implementationthat is operable to employ the techniques described herein to secure andcharge a peripheral device.

FIG. 2 depicts an example implementation showing different views of anexample of a peripheral retention device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 depicts an example implementation showing retention of aperipheral device configured as a stylus by the peripheral retentiondevice of FIG. 2 thereby securing the stylus to a computing device.

FIG. 4 depicts another example implementation in which the peripheralretention device of FIG. 3 is used to secure the stylus to a standalonedisplay device.

FIG. 5 depicts an example implementation in which an inductive elementof a peripheral retention device of FIG. 2 is configured to supportflexible movement and stretching.

FIG. 6 depicts an example implementation in which an inductive elementof FIG. 5 is bent to form a flexible loop.

FIG. 7 depicts an example implementation in which the inductive elementof FIG. 6 is installed as part of the peripheral retention device ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 8 depicts an example implementation of secondary coil usage by aperipheral device of FIG. 1 to form an inductive communicative couplingbetween devices.

FIG. 9 depicts an example implementation in which an inductive coil ofFIG. 8 is configured to operate as a primary coil in an air gaptransformer arrangement.

FIG. 10 depicts an example implementation in which power modes areutilized to control an amount of power provided to the inductive elementof FIG. 5 of the peripheral retention device of FIG. 2.

FIG. 11 depicts an example implementation of a circuit usable by aperipheral retention device to act as a primary coil of an air gaptransformer.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart depicting a procedure in an exampleimplementation in which power modes are utilized based on adetermination of a detection of inductance of a flexible loop.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example system including various components of anexample device that can be implemented as any type of computing deviceas described with reference to FIGS. 1-12 to implement embodiments ofthe techniques described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Overview

Computing devices may employ a wide range of peripheral devices tosupport different types of user interaction with the device. This mayinclude input devices that are configured to be used in addition to thecomputing device, an example of which is a stylus. However, conventionaltechniques that are utilized to store peripheral devices are oftencumbersome and hindered a user's interaction with both the peripheraldevice and the computing device.

Inductive peripheral retention device techniques are described. In oneor more implementations, a peripheral retention device is configured tobe secured to a computing device or other device (e.g., a peripheraldevice of the computing device such as a monitor, keyboard, and so on)using a plug that is configured to engage a communication port, e.g., aUSB port or other port. The peripheral retention device also includes aperipheral securing portion that is connected to the plug to retain aperipheral device, such as a stylus.

The peripheral securing portion, for instance, may include an inductiveelement formed as a flexible loop that is configured to at leastpartially surround the peripheral device and form a communicativecoupling between the peripheral device and the computing device, such asto charge the peripheral device, transfer data, and so forth. In thisway, efficiency of charging using the loop may increase overconventional techniques and flexibility of the loop may be used to limitinterference of the loop with a user when not in use, e.g., may layflat. Additionally, this flexibility may serve as a basis to controlpower output to the loop and thus improve efficiency of the device asfurther described in the following.

An inductive element is also described that may be utilized to supportrotationally invariant induction. The inductive element, for instance,may be shaped to mimic a barbell such that flux lines of the inductiveelement have a shape that mimics a donut. In this way, the inductiveelement may be utilized to support induction by a device without havingto rotate the device in a particular orientation, such as for use by astylus, a flexible hinge of a peripheral device (e.g., keyboard) orcomputing device, and so on. Further discussion of these features may befound in relation to FIGS. 8 and 9.

In the following discussion, an example environment is first describedthat may employ the techniques described herein. Example mechanisms arealso described which may be performed in the example environment as wellas other environments. Consequently, use of the example mechanisms isnot limited to the example environment and the example environment isnot limited to use of the example mechanisms.

Example Environment

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an environment 100 in an exampleimplementation that is operable to employ techniques described herein.The illustrated environment 100 includes a computing device 102 having aplurality of computing components 104 that are implemented at leastpartially in hardware. Illustrated examples of these computingcomponents 104 include a processing system 106 and a computer-readablestorage medium that is illustrated as a memory 108, a peripheralretention device 110, battery 112, and display device 114 that aredisposed within and/or secured to a housing 116.

The computing device 102 may be configured in a variety of ways. Forexample, a computing device may be configured as a computer that iscapable of communicating over a network, such as a desktop computer, amobile station, an entertainment appliance, a set-top boxcommunicatively coupled to a display device, a wireless phone, a gameconsole, and so forth. Thus, the computing device 102 may range fromfull resource devices with substantial memory and processor resources(e.g., personal computers, game consoles) to a low-resource device withlimited memory and/or processing resources (e.g., traditional set-topboxes, hand-held game consoles).

The computing device 102 is further illustrated as including anoperating system 118. The operating system 118 is configured to abstractunderlying functionality of the computing device 102 to applications 120that are executable on the computing device 102. For example, theoperating system 118 may abstract the computing components 104 of thecomputing device 102 such that the applications 120 may be writtenwithout knowing “how” this underlying functionality is implemented. Theapplication 120, for instance, may provide data to the operating system118 to be rendered and displayed by the display device 114 withoutunderstanding how this rendering will be performed, may receive inputsdetected using touchscreen functionality of the display device 114, andso on. The operating system 118 may also represent a variety of otherfunctionality, such as to manage a file system and user interface thatis navigable by a user of the computing device 102.

The computing device 102 may support a variety of differentinteractions. For example, the computing device 102 may include one ormore hardware devices that are manipulable by a user to interact withthe device, which may include peripheral devices 112 (e.g., cursorcontrol device such as a mouse, stylus), a keyboard 124 communicativelyand physically coupled to the computing device 102 using a flexiblehinge 126, and so on.

Peripheral devices 122 such as a stylus may be lost in some instances bya user because the device is not physically attached to the computingdevice 102, especially in handheld (i.e., mobile) configurations of thecomputing device 102. However, conventional techniques that wereutilized to secure the stylus to the computing device 102 could consumeinordinate amounts of room within a housing 116 (e.g., by internal slotis used to store and retain the stylus through friction or through apush-push type mechanism), interfere with a user's interaction with adevice (e.g., a lanyard), and so forth. Accordingly, the peripheralretention device 110 may be configured to secure the peripheral device122 to the housing 116 in a manner that does not interfere with a user'sinteraction with the computing device 102.

Further, the peripheral retention device 110 may also be configured tosupport a communicative coupling with a communication port 128 of thecomputing device, such as to transfer power to charge the peripheraldevice 122, communicate data between the peripheral device 122 and thecomputing device 102, and so on. For example, it is now common practiceto use a stylus to draw on the touch enabled displays of laptops andtablets. In some instances, the stylus may be configured to consumepower to support this interaction.

In one such instance, an active stylus is configured to improve ondetectability of a passive stylus by emitting signals that are receivedby touchscreen functionality of the display device 114 to improvespatial resolution of a tip of the stylus. The tip may even be locatedwhen it is hovering above a surface of the display device 114. Theactive stylus may also consume power to support Bluetooth®communication, button activated features, and so on. Other features thatmay consume power include detection of stylus angle and rotation the pentip to adjust ink thickness, haptic or acoustic feedback of pen functionor notifications, support use as a laser pointer for meeting roomcollaboration, include a text display for status and notifications,communicate device status, email, and others notification with always oncommunication and LED indicators, support audio recording and datastorage, and so forth. This power may be supplied by rechargeablestorage included as part of the peripheral device, e.g., a battery orsuper capacitor.

Conventional techniques utilized to provide power to the rechargeablestorage may have a variety of drawbacks. For example, use of a micro USBconnector by a stylus generally involves placement of the connector onan end of the stylus opposite the tip. Charging the stylus by pluggingit into a USB port also necessitates either having an additional USBcable or plugging directly into a tablet or laptop. This may involvestylus disassembly, a common USB port across the product line, and has arisk of product damage as it is cantilevered while charging.

Another conventional technique involves the addition of conductivecharging points to an outside of the stylus to directly connect it tocharging points on the device that supplies power, e.g., a computingdevice. This direct galvanic charging technique, however, may interferewith the industrial design, exposes the contact points to wear anddamage, and may be restricted in its alignment to connect the styluscontacts to a power source in a predictable manner.

Accordingly, the peripheral retention device 110 may be configured tosupport wireless inductive charging. For example, the peripheral device122 may include a receiving coil inside which, when coupled to anexternal, powered, primary charging coil of the peripheral retentiondevice 110, form the secondary of a transformer. This air gaptransformer is what sends power into the peripheral 122 and therebysupport a communicative coupling between the peripheral device 122, theperipheral retention device 110, and the computing device 102 which mayalso be utilized to communicate data between the devices.

Although the peripheral retention device 110 is illustrated as connectedto a communication port 128 of the computing device 102, the peripheralretention device 110 may be coupled to a variety of other devices, suchas an external battery device (e.g., for mobile charging), an externalcharging device (e.g., to plug into a wall socket), a communication port128 on the input device 124, a monitor as shown in FIG. 4, and so on.

FIG. 2 depicts an example implementation 200 showing different views ofan example of a peripheral retention device 110 of FIG. 1. This exampleimplementation includes top 202, perspective 204, front 206, and side208 views of an example of a peripheral retention device 110. Theperipheral retention device 110 includes a plug 210 that is configuredto be secured to a communication port 128 of a device. The plug 210 inthis example is illustrated as being formed in compliance with a Type AUniversal Serial Bus (USB) but it should be readily apparent that otherconfigurations are also contemplated, such as in compliance with othertypes of USB ports (e.g., Type B, Mini-AB, Mini-B, Micro-AB, Micro-B,Type C), Thunderbolt® communication ports, and so on. Other examples arealso contemplated, such as use without a plug, e.g., permanently mountedto the computing device.

The peripheral retention device 110 also includes a peripheral securingportion 212 connected to the plug and configured to removably engage aperipheral device, which in this example is performed using a flexibleloop 214. The flexible loop 214, for example, may be configured to flexand stretch to retain a peripheral device, such as a stylus, within aninterior of the flexible loop 214.

As shown in an example implementation 300 of FIG. 3, for instance, theperipheral retention device 110 may be secured to a communication port128 which is illustrated in phantom. An example of a peripheral device122 of FIG. 1 is illustrated as a stylus 302 that is retained within theflexible loop 214 and thus secured to the computing device 102.

In the illustrated example, the flexible loop 214 assumes acomplementary shape of the peripheral being secured through use of aflexible material, such as a fabric, rubber, or elastic material. Otherexamples are also contemplated including examples in which theperipheral retention device 110 utilizes techniques that are notflexible, e.g., is molded to conform to an outer surface of a peripheraldevice 122 to be retained.

The flexible loop 214 may also be configured to provide a biasing forceto secure the peripheral. For example, formation as a flexible andstretchable loop (e.g., elastic) may bias the peripheral toward thehousing 116 and thereby retain the peripheral against the housing 116.Other examples are also contemplated.

The use of a flexible material to form the flexible loop 214 may alsosupport a variety of other functionality. For example, the flexible loop214 may be configured to “flatten” as shown in FIG. 11. The computingdevice 102, for instance, may be placed on a surface which causes theflexible loop to flatten against the surface when a stylus 302 is notretained by the device. Additionally, this may permit the stylus 302 to“rotate up” away from the surface such that the computing device 102 maylay flat against the surface. In this way, the peripheral retentiondevice 110 does not interfere with a user's interaction with thecomputing device 102.

FIG. 4 depicts another example implementation 400 in which theperipheral retention device 110 of FIG. 3 is used to secure the stylus302 to a standalone display device. In this example, the peripheralretention device 110 is secured to a communication port of a standalonedisplay device 402. In this way, the stylus 302 may be secured “out ofthe way” when not in use. Further, the stylus 302 may also be chargedthrough use of an inductive element formed as part of the peripheralretention device 110, further discussion of which may be found in thefollowing and is shown in a corresponding figure.

FIG. 5 depicts an example implementation 500 showing an inductiveelement 502 of a peripheral retention device 110 of FIG. 3. Theinductive element 502 in this example is configured to be both flexibleand stretchable. This is performed by including elliptical perforations504 in this example that have a generally barbell shape in which ends ofthe perforations 504 have a greater width than a midsection of theperforations 504. Other perforation shapes are also contemplated.

The perforations 504 are also arranged at a generally forty-five degreeangle in relation to a longitudinal axis 506 that is configured to forma bend to assume a cylindrical shape as shown in FIG. 6 and supportstretching in both x and y directions. Additionally, the perforations504 have an alternating arrangement of angles, one to another, inrelation to the axis 506.

The inductive element 502 also includes traces 508 that are configuredto carry an electrical current to form the inductive connection. Byimplementing the inductive element 502 as a primary coil on a substrate(e.g., polyimide substrate) with a sinusoidal trace pattern andelliptical perforations 504, the inductive element 502 becomes bothflexible and stretchable to allow the flexible loop to collapse when notused and to resist damage during the insertion and removal of aperipheral device 122 such as a stylus 302.

FIG. 6 depicts an example implementation 600 in which the inductiveelement 502 of FIG. 5 is bent to form a flexible loop 502. Asillustrated the perforations 504 of the inductive element 502 permitbending to form a loop. The perforations 504 may also permit stretchingsuch as to provide an elastic force to retain a peripheral device 122within the flexible loop 216 as previously described. The traces 508 areconfigured to form an inductive electrical field within an interior ofthe flexible loop 214 thereby forming an inductive communicativecoupling.

FIG. 7 depicts an example implementation 700 in which the inductiveelement 502 of FIG. 6 is installed as part of the peripheral retentiondevice 110 of FIG. 2. In this example, the inductive element 502 (e.g.,primary coil) is configured as a flexible loop that is surrounded by afabric 702. The inductive element 502 is communicatively coupled to theplug 210 as part of the peripheral securing portion 212 and thus mayreceive electricity from a communication port 128 of a device aspreviously described.

Conventionally, a primary coil of an air gap transformer for accessorycharging is constructed flat as a “charging pad”. However, wrapping aprimary coil around the secondary coil increases efficiency in atransfer of power from the charger to the accessory, e.g., by overseventy-seven percent. Testing of this prototype (FIG. 1) has yielded anefficiency of up to 77% and indicates that it is feasible to fullycharge a 160 mA Lithium rechargeable stylus in approximately an hour andapproximately half an hour for a super-capacitor cell.

FIG. 8 depicts an example implementation 800 of a secondary coil usageby a peripheral device 122 of FIG. 1 for form an inductive communicativecoupling between devices. Conventional secondary coils of air gaptransformers are typically three centimeters by four centimeters andlarger, making them difficult to place in peripheral devices 122 such asa stylus 302.

Accordingly, an inductive coil 802 in this example is formed from asingle ferrous element, which in this example is a single integral piecehaving a middle portion 804 having a diameter about an axis 806 that isless than a diameter of opposing ends 808, 810 of the single ferrouselement along the axis 806.

A coil 812 is wrapped around the middle portion 804 such that the coil812 and the single ferrous element form an inductive coil 802 that issubstantially rotationally invariant around the axis. The inductive coil802 may include an open tunnel (e.g., similar to a pipe) running througha longitudinal access, which may be used to permit wires to be runthrough the tunnel to support communication from one end of the stylusto the other. The diameter of the opposing ends 808, 810 allow theferrous material to extend to an edge of a housing of the stylus 302 andthe cylindrical shape makes coupling rotationally invariant by formingflux lines 814 in a shape that mimics a donut as illustrated. Thissecondary coil assembly can be made small and dense enough to fit wellin a stylus 302 while transferring enough power to charge an internalbattery in any rotational position.

Inductive coupling between primary and secondary coils is sensitive tothe distance between the coils. The smaller the coils, the faster thisloss of coupling occurs. Further, the stylus 302 may typically be storedin a way that does not constrain a longitudinal rotational position ofthe stylus. Therefore, by using a shape that mimics a dumbbell as shownin FIG. 8, the inductive coil 802, in this instance operating as asecondary coil, may minimize a distance to the primary coil of theperipheral retention device 110 while having good coupling at anylongitudinal rotational angle. Although described as a secondary coil inthis example, the inductive coil 802 may also function as a primary coilas further described below.

FIG. 9 depicts an example implementation 900 in which an inductive coilof FIG. 8 is configured to operate as a primary coil in an air gaptransformer arrangement. In this example, a connection portion 902 ofthe input device 124 is shown that is configured to provide acommunicative and physical connection between the input device 124 andthe computing device 102. The connection portion 902 as illustrated hasa height and cross section configured to be received in a channel in thehousing of the computing device 102, although this arrangement may alsobe reversed without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

The connection portion 902 is flexibly connected to a portion of theinput device 104 that includes the keys through use of the flexiblehinge 126. Thus, when the connection portion 202 is physically connectedto the computing device the combination of the connection portion 902and the flexible hinge 126 supports movement of the input device 124 inrelation to the computing device 102 that is similar to a hinge of abook.

The flexible hinge 126 in this example includes a mid-spine 904 having aplurality of inductive coils 906, 908, 910 that are configured similarto the inductive coil 902 of FIG. 8 but in this instance operate asprimary coils of an air gap transformer. Thus, to form a communicationcoupling between the input device 124 (and thus the computing device 102of FIG. 1) to a stylus 302 of FIG. 3 or other peripheral device 122 inthis example a user may rest the stylus 302 against the flexible hingeor secure it thereto using a pen clip of the stylus 302 to cause aninductive coupling. This may be utilized to charge the stylus, transferdata (e.g., to authenticate the peripheral device 122), and so on aspreviously described. Further, flux flow lines may also support arotationally invariant shape such that the flexible hinge 126 may moveyet still support the communicative coupling.

FIG. 10 depicts an example implementation 1000 in which power modes areutilized to control an amount of power provided to the inductive element502 of the peripheral retention device 110. This example implementationis shown using first and second stages 1002, 1004. A charging module1006 is illustrated at each of the stages that is representative offunctionality to control an amount of power provided by the peripheralretention device 110 to the inductive element 502. The charging module1006, for instance, may be incorporated as part of the peripheralretention device 110 itself, a device to which the peripheral retentiondevice 110 is attached (e.g., the computing device 102), and so forth.

At the first stage 1002, a charging module 1006 detects that theflexible loop 214 and corresponding inductive element 502 is arranged asa loop, such as the insertion of a pen. This may be determined bymeasuring inductance of the inductive element 502 by the charging module1006. The ferrite secondary receiving coil inside the pen causes asignificant increase in the inductance of the inductive element 502.Thus, the charging module 1006 may determine that the inductive element502 is configured to support a communicative coupling and may provide alevel of power sufficient to charge a peripheral device 122, e.g., powermode 1008.

At the second stage 1004, however, the charging module 1006 detects thatthe flexible loop 214 and corresponding inductive element 502 hascollapsed. This may be detected by the charging module 1006 by detectingthat the inductive element 502 exhibits low inductance. For example,opposing sides of the charging module 1006 may cause a short whendisposed closely to each other, such as when the flexible loop 214collapses or flattens.

Accordingly, the charging module 1006 may detect that the flexible loop214 and corresponding collapsed or shorted state and enter a reducedpower mode 1010 that supplies less power to the inductive element 502than when in the charging power mode 1008, e.g., may cease providingpower all together, periodically provide power to determine inductanceof the inductive element and thus whether to enter the charging powermode 1008, and so forth. In this way, the charging module 1006 maydetermine whether the peripheral retention device 110 is configured toperform inductance and react accordingly, such as to conserver powerwhen not ready, transfer data, and so forth. Further discussion of thistechnique may be found in relation to FIG. 12.

FIG. 11 depicts an example implementation of a circuit 1100 usable bythe peripheral retention device 110 to act as a primary coil of an airgap transformer. As before, the primary coil may be utilized to transferpower to charge a peripheral device 122, transfer data, and so forth.

Example Procedures

The following discussion describes inductive peripheral retention devicetechniques that may be implemented utilizing the previously describedsystems and devices. Aspects of each of the procedures may beimplemented in hardware, firmware, or software, or a combinationthereof. The procedures are shown as a set of blocks that specifyoperations performed by one or more devices and are not necessarilylimited to the orders shown for performing the operations by therespective blocks. In portions of the following discussion, referencewill be made to the figures described above.

Functionality, features, and concepts described in relation to theexamples of FIGS. 1-11 may be employed in the context of the proceduresdescribed herein. Further, functionality, features, and conceptsdescribed in relation to different procedures below may be interchangedamong the different procedures and are not limited to implementation inthe context of an individual procedure. Moreover, blocks associated withdifferent representative procedures and corresponding figures herein maybe applied together and/or combined in different ways. Thus, individualfunctionality, features, and concepts described in relation to differentexample environments, devices, components, and procedures herein may beused in any suitable combinations and are not limited to the particularcombinations represented by the enumerated examples.

FIG. 12 depicts a procedure 1200 in an example implementation in whichpower modes are utilized based on a determination of a detection ofinductance of a flexible loop. There are three inductance scenarios,which may be detected and leveraged based on detection of inductanceand/or current. These a scenario in which a peripheral device is notinserted (e.g., which has low inductance), a scenario in which aperipheral device is inserted (e.g., which has ten times the inductanceof when a device is not inserted), and when an inductive element is notaligned with the flexible element but another metallic item is, whichhas the lowest inductance. Accordingly, thresholds may be utilized todifferentiate between these scenarios, an example of which is describedas follows.

Inductance is detected of a flexible element configured to transferpower to a peripheral device via inductance (block 1202). A chargingmodule 1006, for instance, may measure inductance to determine whetherthe inductive element 502 is or is not experiencing a short.

At decision block 1204, a determination is made as to whether inductanceis above a peripheral-in-loop threshold (decision block 1204). If so,(“yes” from decision bock 1204), responsive to a determination that thedetected inductance is above a threshold, a first power mode is utilizedin which a first amount of power is provided to the flexible element(block 1206). The threshold, for instance, may be set that is indicativeof whether the inductive element is experiencing a short, set at anamount of inductance detected at a desired shape of the flexibleelement, e.g., the flexible loop 214 and corresponding inductive element502) loop 214. If so, the charging module 1008 may provide an amount ofpower sufficient to transfer data, charge a peripheral device 122, andso forth.

In not (“no” from decision block 1204), a determination is made as towhether inductance is above a collapsed threshold (decision block 1208).If so (“yes” from decision block 1208), responsive to a determinationthat the detected inductance is below a threshold, a second power modeis utilized in which a second amount of power is provided to theflexible element that is less than the first amount of power (block1210). This threshold may be the same or different than the previousthreshold, e.g., may be set such that inductance levels below thethreshold are indicative of a short, set for inductance levels detectedat a flattened/collapsed shape of the flexible element (e.g., theflexible loop 214 and corresponding inductive element 502), and soforth.

If inductance is not above a collapsed threshold (“no” from decisionblock 1208), a determination is made that the flexible element isshorted (block 1212). A short circuit may be detected by inductance andalso by detection of an excessive current draw above a threshold. Thus,a second power level may be employed, e.g., to “turn off” power to theinductive element 502, periodically check inductance at predeterminedintervals of time, provide a minimal level of current usable to make thedetection, and so forth. A timing profile may also be incorporated(e.g., 10 milliseconds on, two seconds off) to improve power savings. Avariety of other examples are also contemplated without departing fromthe spirit and scope thereof.

Example System and Device

FIG. 13 illustrates an example system generally at 1300 that includes anexample computing device 1302 that is representative of one or morecomputing systems and/or devices that may implement the varioustechniques described herein. The computing device 1302 may be, forexample, be configured to assume a mobile configuration through use of ahousing formed and size to be grasped and carried by one or more handsof a user, illustrated examples of which include a mobile phone, mobilegame and music device, and tablet computer although other examples arealso contemplated. A peripheral retention device 110 is also included,which may be used to retain a peripheral device 122 as described above.

The example computing device 1302 as illustrated includes a processingsystem 1304, one or more computer-readable media 1306, and one or moreI/O interface 1308 that are communicatively coupled, one to another.Although not shown, the computing device 1302 may further include asystem bus or other data and command transfer system that couples thevarious components, one to another. A system bus can include any one orcombination of different bus structures, such as a memory bus or memorycontroller, a peripheral bus, a universal serial bus, and/or a processoror local bus that utilizes any of a variety of bus architectures. Avariety of other examples are also contemplated, such as control anddata lines.

The processing system 1304 is representative of functionality to performone or more operations using hardware. Accordingly, the processingsystem 1304 is illustrated as including hardware element 1310 that maybe configured as processors, functional blocks, and so forth. This mayinclude implementation in hardware as an application specific integratedcircuit or other logic device formed using one or more semiconductors.The hardware elements 1310 are not limited by the materials from whichthey are formed or the processing mechanisms employed therein. Forexample, processors may be comprised of semiconductor(s) and/ortransistors (e.g., electronic integrated circuits (ICs)). In such acontext, processor-executable instructions may beelectronically-executable instructions.

The computer-readable storage media 1306 is illustrated as includingmemory/storage 1312. The memory/storage 1312 represents memory/storagecapacity associated with one or more computer-readable media. Thememory/storage component 1312 may include volatile media (such as randomaccess memory (RAM)) and/or nonvolatile media (such as read only memory(ROM), Flash memory, optical disks, magnetic disks, and so forth). Thememory/storage component 1312 may include fixed media (e.g., RAM, ROM, afixed hard drive, and so on) as well as removable media (e.g., Flashmemory, a removable hard drive, an optical disc, and so forth). Thecomputer-readable media 1306 may be configured in a variety of otherways as further described below.

Input/output interface(s) 1308 are representative of functionality toallow a user to enter commands and information to computing device 1302,and also allow information to be presented to the user and/or othercomponents or devices using various input/output devices. Examples ofinput devices include a keyboard, a cursor control device (e.g., amouse), a microphone, a scanner, touch functionality (e.g., capacitiveor other sensors that are configured to detect physical touch), a camera(e.g., which may employ visible or non-visible wavelengths such asinfrared frequencies to recognize movement as gestures that do notinvolve touch), and so forth. Examples of output devices include adisplay device (e.g., a monitor or projector), speakers, a printer, anetwork card, tactile-response device, and so forth. Thus, the computingdevice 1302 may be configured in a variety of ways to support userinteraction.

The computing device 1302 is further illustrated as being physicallycoupled to a peripheral device 1314 that is physically removable fromthe computing device 1302, e.g., using magnetism. In this way, a varietyof different input devices may be coupled to the computing device 1302having a wide variety of configurations to support a wide variety offunctionality.

Various techniques may be described herein in the general context ofsoftware, hardware elements, or program modules. Generally, such modulesinclude routines, programs, objects, elements, components, datastructures, and so forth that perform particular tasks or implementparticular abstract data types. The terms “module,” “functionality,” and“component” as used herein generally represent software, firmware,hardware, or a combination thereof. The features of the techniquesdescribed herein are platform-independent, meaning that the techniquesmay be implemented on a variety of commercial computing platforms havinga variety of processors.

An implementation of the described modules and techniques may be storedon or transmitted across some form of computer-readable media. Thecomputer-readable media may include a variety of media that may beaccessed by the computing device 1302. By way of example, and notlimitation, computer-readable media may include “computer-readablestorage media” and “computer-readable signal media.”

“Computer-readable storage media” may refer to media and/or devices thatenable persistent and/or non-transitory storage of information incontrast to mere signal transmission, carrier waves, or signals per se.Thus, computer-readable storage media refers to non-signal bearingmedia. The computer-readable storage media includes hardware such asvolatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media and/orstorage devices implemented in a method or technology suitable forstorage of information such as computer readable instructions, datastructures, program modules, logic elements/circuits, or other data.Examples of computer-readable storage media may include, but are notlimited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology,CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, harddisks, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or othermagnetic storage devices, or other storage device, tangible media, orarticle of manufacture suitable to store the desired information andwhich may be accessed by a computer.

“Computer-readable signal media” may refer to a signal-bearing mediumthat is configured to transmit instructions to the hardware of thecomputing device 1302, such as via a network. Signal media typically mayembody computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules,or other data in a modulated data signal, such as carrier waves, datasignals, or other transport mechanism. Signal media also include anyinformation delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means asignal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed insuch a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example,and not limitation, communication media include wired media such as awired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such asacoustic, RF, infrared, and other wireless media.

As previously described, hardware elements 1310 and computer-readablemedia 1306 are representative of modules, programmable device logicand/or fixed device logic implemented in a hardware form that may beemployed in some embodiments to implement at least some aspects of thetechniques described herein, such as to perform one or moreinstructions. Hardware may include components of an integrated circuitor on-chip system, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), afield-programmable gate array (FPGA), a complex programmable logicdevice (CPLD), and other implementations in silicon or other hardware.In this context, hardware may operate as a processing device thatperforms program tasks defined by instructions and/or logic embodied bythe hardware as well as a hardware utilized to store instructions forexecution, e.g., the computer-readable storage media describedpreviously.

Combinations of the foregoing may also be employed to implement varioustechniques described herein. Accordingly, software, hardware, orexecutable modules may be implemented as one or more instructions and/orlogic embodied on some form of computer-readable storage media and/or byone or more hardware elements 1310. The computing device 1302 may beconfigured to implement particular instructions and/or functionscorresponding to the software and/or hardware modules. Accordingly,implementation of a module that is executable by the computing device1302 as software may be achieved at least partially in hardware, e.g.,through use of computer-readable storage media and/or hardware elements1310 of the processing system 1304. The instructions and/or functionsmay be executable/operable by one or more articles of manufacture (forexample, one or more computing devices 1302 and/or processing systems1304) to implement techniques, modules, and examples described herein.

CONCLUSION

Although the example implementations have been described in languagespecific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to beunderstood that the implementations defined in the appended claims isnot necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described.Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as example forms ofimplementing the claimed features.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: detecting inductance of aflexible element configured to transfer power to a peripheral device viainductance; responsive to determining that the detected inductance ofthe flexible element is above a first threshold, utilizing a first powermode in which a first amount of power is provided to the flexibleelement; and responsive to determining that the detected inductance ofthe flexible element is below a second threshold, utilizing a secondpower mode in which a second amount of power is provided to the flexibleelement that is less than the first amount of power.
 2. A method asdescribed in claim 1, wherein utilizing the first power mode comprisesproviding a first amount of power to the flexible element.
 3. A methodas described in claim 2, wherein utilizing the second power modecomprises providing a second amount of power to the flexible element. 4.A method as described in claim 3, wherein the second amount of power isless than the first amount of power.
 5. A method as described in claim3, wherein the first amount of power is sufficient to cause charging ofthe peripheral device and the second amount of power does not providepower to the flexible element.
 6. A method as described in claim 1,wherein the determining that the detected inductance of the flexibleelement is below the second threshold is indicative that the flexibleelement is in a collapsed state such that opposing sides of the flexibleelement are disposed proximal to each other.
 7. A method as described inclaim 6, wherein the determining that the detected inductance of theflexible element is above the second threshold is indicative that theflexible element is not in the collapsed state.
 8. A method as describedin claim 1, wherein the flexible element is formed as a loop.
 9. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the determining that the detected inductanceof the flexible element is above the first threshold indicates that theperipheral device is in contact with the flexible element.
 10. A systemcomprising: a flexible element configured to transfer power to aperipheral device via inductance; and at least a memory and a processorto implement a charging module, the charging module configured toperform operations comprising: detecting inductance of the flexibleelement; responsive to determining that the detected inductance of theflexible element is above a first threshold, utilizing a first powermode; and responsive to determining that the detected inductance of theflexible element is below a second threshold, utilizing a second powermode.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein utilizing the first power modecomprises providing a first amount of power to the flexible element. 12.The system of claim 11, wherein utilizing the second power modecomprises providing a second amount of power to the flexible element.13. The system of claim 12, wherein the second amount of power is lessthan the first amount of power.
 14. The system of claim 12, wherein thefirst amount of power is sufficient to cause charging of the peripheraldevice and the second amount of power does not provide power to theflexible element.
 15. The system of claim 10, wherein the determiningthat the detected inductance of the flexible element is below the secondthreshold is indicative that the flexible element is in a collapsedstate such that opposing sides of the flexible element are disposedproximal to each other.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein thedetermining that the detected inductance of the flexible element isabove the second threshold is indicative that the flexible element isnot in the collapsed state.
 17. The system of claim 10, wherein theflexible element is formed as a loop.
 18. One or more computer-readablestorage devices comprising instructions stored thereon that, responsiveto execution by one or more processors, perform operations comprising:detecting inductance of a flexible element configured to transfer powerto a peripheral device via inductance; responsive to determining thatthe detected inductance of the flexible element is above a firstthreshold, utilizing a first power mode in which a first amount of poweris provided to the flexible element; and responsive to determining thatthe detected inductance of the flexible element is below a secondthreshold, utilizing a second power mode in which a second amount ofpower is provided to the flexible element that is less than the firstamount of power.
 19. The one or more computer-readable storage devicesof claim 18, wherein the first amount of power is sufficient to causecharging of the peripheral device and the second amount of power doesnot provide power to the flexible element.
 20. The one or morecomputer-readable storage devices of claim 18, wherein the determiningthat the detected inductance of the flexible element is below the secondthreshold is indicative that the flexible element is in a collapsedstate such that opposing sides of the flexible element are disposedproximal to each other.